Dear Reader:

Today is the last transitional day before the cold weather comes drifting in tomorrow. ( So glad for Brookie and family for Ted’s funeral this morning! )

The first Frost of the season is scheduled to show itself Tuesday and Wednesday morning and then myself, Tommy, Kaitlyn, Susan and Butch are off to the mountains for Thanksgiving ! So excited …so we will see a lot of Frost.

One good think about aging is that we start seeing past challenges-even in some of its most difficult periods -in a lighter context. We realize now that the ” sky wasn’t falling” and the world didn’t come an end! Even things that broke our heart.

When we get to the place that we can actually laugh or joke about it… we know the scab can come off permanently!

This time of year …with Jack Frost ready to make him his annual appearance, I have to laugh at one of my most embarrassing ” teacher ” moments … and believe me there were plenty.

It must have been a teacher work day or half-day, I and a teaching colleague went to Eva’s Restaurant ( I believe) for lunch. It was soon after school had started and I was excited about some great students I had and mentioned several names to her.

Suddenly my friend began waving at a man waiting to check out -he came over and she introduced me to him -saying that I had just mentioned his son’s name and how much I enjoyed teaching him!

We exchanged pleasantries and then I asked the father his name and he replied ” Jack Frost.” I burst out laughing and retorted ” Good one! I used to be Snow White… but I drifted!” ( oldest Disney joke on record)

He looked slightly startled but nodded , wishing both of us a good year and left.

I nonchalantly went back to eating until I looked up and saw my friend’s face… ” That IS his name” -where is that beach hole to China when you need it?

But these days.. it is one of my funniest memories… just needed Jack Frost to sew my mouth shut-forget nibbling at my nose!

So until tomorrow… No matter how difficult the dark periods in our lives are…joy, wonderful joy… will fill our human vessel again and again!

Rick, Harvey and Rick’s sister Janet came to visit Ben yesterday -I met them at Wellmore ( Ben’s friends from Conway) and we had such fun together! Thank you everyone for your kindness, friendship and time!

Here are some pictures from Kaitlyn’s birthday party.